turning on the light

There’s an analogy from Sex and the City that I love. It’s called the Taxi Cab Theory, where Miranda says:

Men are like taxis,
And when they are available,
Their light turns on.

While the context of this was about dating, I think the idea of turning on one’s light is applicable in other areas, too. We can sense when someone is energetically open. There is a world of difference between passing someone on the sidewalk who looks you in the eye and smiles, versus the person who's heads down, avoiding your gaze.

We’re at the end of Leo season, and I’m thinking about different ways to flip the switch and turn on my light. Leo is ruled by the Sun, and is about energy, warmth, passion, and creativity. Showing up, being seen, embracing confidence, and harnessing that “main character energy” are all in the realm of Leo.

A light both gives and receives. It can be like a bat signal that says, “I’m here!” Or it can help illuminate a path for others.

There are some Leo qualities that work well for this intention, including generosity, courage, and playfulness. Generosity might look like offering expertise freely or being the first to celebrate others' wins. Courage is sharing an unpopular opinion (eep!) or taking up space in conversations where one might normally stay quiet. Playfulness invites others in through humor, spontaneity, or simply not taking oneself too seriously.

For me, I know when my light is on, it’s an invitation for more magic and synchronicity to enter my life. I’ll suddenly hear from folks I have lost touch with, or receive invitations to connect with wonderful strangers who become friends.

What does turning the light on look like in practical terms? In my daily life, it might look like picking bolder colors for my outfit and accessorizing. It’s walking with a slightly slower pace, attuned to my environment. It’s taking a risk and going first– whether that’s sharing ideas, asking with curiosity, or offering help. It’s saying yes more often, to social invitations, to creative risks, to new opportunities with a spark.

This intention extends beyond physical presence into digital spaces. For me, I know this means updating my LinkedIn profile. I know that sounds incredibly mundane, but this has been a dreaded task that I’ve put off for months. My outdated profile and non-existent digital presence are the equivalent of avoiding professional eye contact. My taxi light is dark, and even the headlights are turned off.

My reticence and resistance have stemmed from being “in-between.” Trying to explore new things without knowing what they are has been a real catch-22. I didn’t want to attract the “wrong” projects related to my previous experience, but I also didn’t know how to articulate what I was actually doing or looking for. So I hibernated my profile, which was honestly okay for a while, but no longer aligns with my intentions.

So how will I use Leo energy to tackle this? I'm thinking about those Leo qualities: generosity, courage, and playfulness. Recognizing that I have expertise to share with the world (generosity). Being honest about exploring new directions (courage). Letting my humor and personality shine through my writing and voice (playfulness).

Essentially, I’m trying to create space for serendipity to find me, by honoring where I’ve been and where I’m going. I'm out here, man, with a tambourine on the street corner. Evolving and exploring in real time, and ready for what’s next.